Peanuts, Monkeys and Job Hunting

Can I just state in advance that no animals were harmed in the writing of this article!

An often recounted 'change' tale in the coaching world, set in Africa, or should that be Asia, is of the Monkey Hunters.

As you know, monkeys are our closest living mammal and as such are highly intelligent. The hunters didn’t have an easy job catching them until the devised a trap most cunning, based on a method of enticement and a monkey's reluctance to change.

A small jar or container with a narrow opening is filled with delicious smelling peanuts (or other food). This is then tethered to the floor and left to warm up, spreading the aroma of treats to the finely tuned nose of the local monkey population. In time a monkey will come and put his hand in the jar to get the nuts. Unfortunately, the opening of the jar is small. So a tapered hand can go in, but a clenched fist, full of peanuts, won’t come back out

On seeing the hunter approach with his net, many monkeys will stay where they are, trapped by their clenched fist. No matter how hard they fight to get away, the tethered jar holds their fist full of peanuts firm.

A clever monkey might be willing to change his mind and relinquish those few peanuts for his freedom. Particularly as the forest is full of food

What does this change tale have to do with job hunting?

How many fixed ideas do you have about what you want, where you want it and the shape it needs to come in? These are your peanuts, trapping you to the tethered jar

The change in our world is the hunter; it is coming whether you have your hand clenched around the peanuts or not.

If you are flexible, open to change and believe in an abundant world you will let go of your peanuts and forage throughout the vast forest for alternative sources of food. You might even find peanuts

You are the monkey, but what type of monkey are you?

Are you frustrated by your current situation? Are you really good at what you do but can't seem to make any positive impact on your success? Is it difficult taking that first step in the right direction? Do you just wish you could get everything to work out in life, as it does in your dream, so you can be happy?

There’s nothing wrong with you. Most people have felt like you do at some point in their career. We are your career solution experts. Email us to see how we can now help you!